Home Football News THE NOTEBOOK: A former rival keen to stay undercover at the Emirates, another Sterling addition for the Gunners and why Ben White was absent from the squad that faced PSG

THE NOTEBOOK: A former rival keen to stay undercover at the Emirates, another Sterling addition for the Gunners and why Ben White was absent from the squad that faced PSG

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THE NOTEBOOK: A former rival keen to stay undercover at the Emirates, another Sterling addition for the Gunners and why Ben White was absent from the squad that faced PSG


Arsenal ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over PSG on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. 

The win sees Mikel Arteta’s side record their first victory in four Champions League matches, a run that stretches back to their limp exit from the competition last season. 

But the Gunners showed an improved quality and level of maturity that gives confidence to those who have tipped them to go far. The visit of the French champions also marked the first European night under the lights in north London this season and the home faithful did their best to mark the occasion appropriately. 

The same could be said for the visiting Parisians, who maintained their fervent support long after any hope of securing a result had been extinguished.  

On a serene night in north London, Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL takes a look at some of things you may have missed at the Emirates. 

Arsenal proved to be too strong for the French side and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke (middle) and his son Josh Kroenke (left) were in attendance for the fixture

PSG fans were in fine voice all night despite the performance of their players in north London

Undercover Poch 

Understandably, Mauricio Pochettino was keen to keep a low profile as he attended Tuesday night’s game.

The recently appointed USA head coach was at the Emirates to watch Paris Saint-Germain, a club he played for and managed, take on the Gunners.

Pochettino isn’t a popular figure round this part of north London having managed Tottenham for five years before taking charge of Chelsea last season.

Though, Pochettino wasn’t the only one in the line of fire – Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, also attended the Champions League encounter.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was keen to keep a low profile as he attended Arsenal’s clash against PSG at the Emirates

One for the future

Less than a week on from Raheem Sterling’s first start for Arsenal, another Sterling was strutting his stuff here at the Emirates.

The attacker’s seven-year-old son Thiago was captain Bukayo Saka’s mascot for the Champions League visit of the Parisians.

Raheem Sterling’s seven-year-old son had the privilege of walking out onto the pitch with Arsenal captain Bukayo Saka

Might be time for a rest

Ben White wasn’t named on Arsenal’s bench despite Mikel Arteta claiming he was in contention to play in his pre-match press conference.

The full-back is currently suffering with a groin injury and it now remains to be seen whether White can shake-off the problem in time for the Premier League clash versus Southampton on Saturday.

There is a view behind the scenes at the club’s London Colney HQ that White would benefit from a longer break from action – which he will get with the international break round the corner.

Ben White is currently struggling with a groin injury and was not included in Arsenal matchday squad

Summer signing Mikel Merino finally made his first appearance for the club after recovering from injury

Merino’s rapid recovery 

Mikel Merino finally made his Arsenal debut – six weeks after signing for the club.

The Spain midfielder suffered a shoulder injury in an accidental collision with Gabriel Magalhaes in his first training session and has been absent ever since.

It was originally anticipated that Merino would return for the first game after the international break; versus Bournemouth on October 19.

But his appearance off the bench comes as a huge boost, particularly with the absence of key midfielder Martin Odegaard.

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